Many children imagine growing up and sharing their lives with their closest friends, but for most, this dream fades as romantic relationships and family responsibilities take over. However, for two friends in New Zealand, this dream has become a reality, and they are thriving in their unique arrangement.
According to the New York Post, Samantha Best, 24, a social media influencer, ended her relationship in April 2021. She and her 4-year-old son, Kaelin, moved in with her friend Lauren Robinson, 26, and her 5-year-old daughter, Haidyn. The two families now live together and share both child-rearing and financial responsibilities, functioning much like a married couple.
“We moved into a house together in May after I decided to relocate back to Auckland for better career opportunities,” Best told the New York Post. “Living with Lauren has been incredibly convenient. We’ve been able to share expenses and assist each other with childcare. If one of us is busy, the other can pick up the children from school or watch them if we need to go out.”
Best appreciates the support and shared responsibilities that come with living with her friend. “Before moving in with Lauren, I struggled to manage everything on my own. Auckland is very expensive, and I often felt lonely and overwhelmed,” she said.
The arrangement has provided their children with the companionship of having a sibling, and the adults enjoy daily interactions, including watching “Love Island” and having wine nights. “I live with my best friend, and we have so much fun together,” Best said.
The trend of single mothers cohabiting has gained attention in recent years, especially as rental prices rise and people rethink traditional family structures. These arrangements, sometimes called “mommunes” or “co-housing,” are also known as having “platonic life partners.”
“We’ve received some negative feedback, but the majority of comments are positive, praising the idea,” Best shared with the Daily Mail.
Despite curiosity about their relationship, Best and Robinson emphasize that they are just friends. “People often assume we are romantically involved, but we are definitely not,” Best clarified.
The friends joke about the possibility of a new partner moving in if either of them starts dating again, but for now, they are focused on self-improvement after recent breakups. “We’re taking our time to work on ourselves before diving back into the dating scene. They say love often comes when you’re not actively seeking it,” Best said to the Daily Mail.